I find it quite interesting that voicing my opinion is considered by some to be trolling.

I'm sure if my opinion was not opposed to that of those accusing me of trolling, they would not be making such accusations. Quite pathetic.

I suppose that I could stop the trolling accusation by just lying down and agreeing with whatever is presented. Sorry, but I'm not a "yes man."

Another interesting point is some of the people on here that seem to present themselves as open minded. Yeah, they're open minded to any opinion that agrees with their own. Again, pathetic.

Yes, I own my own body, but what makes me different than many is that 1.) I do my best to take care of it and 2.) I personally take full responsibility for my actions.

Too many people in this country choose to do all sorts of unhealthy things to their body and then when, God forbid, their actions result in a serious health consequence, they DO NOT take responsibility, but rather leave the cost of their bad choices to the taxpayers.

Larry, people are saying you are a thickheaded illiterate troll because the linked article proves that Portugal has a method for reducing the number of drug addicts in their country--the very thing you claim to want to accomplish. You could prove that you aren't a thick headed illiterate troll by laying out the exact reasons why you prefer having more drug addicts than less drug addicts.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Just curious. Has anyone ever noticed that Portugal is NOT the same as the US?

Do I understand your argument to be that as long as one takes care of his body he owns it but if he fails to, he doesn't?

A valid point, IMO.

What characteristics of Portugal, different from the USA, would lead one to believe their course applies only to Portugal and not to the USA?

So you're in favor of fewer addicts in Portugal but more addicts in the USA?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

DE-criminalization doesn't make more addicts, it makes less criminals.

__________________

90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff

Alcohol in this country was illegal, now its legal. Same for a lot of hard drugs. Cocaine used to be legal.

I don't think you can legislate substance abuse.

Driving over the speed limit is against the law, and any driver who says they have never done that is flat out lying.

Your also never going to stop the flow of drugs, where their is money to be made someone, somewhere will figure out a way to serve that market. That's capitalism 101.

All we can control is what happens to those people after they become addicted.

1. We can send them to jail. This is the current method and IMHO the results are less than desirable. In jail they brush up on all sorts of bad ideas, like how to be better criminals and make criminal friends, join gangs etc. When they get out, they are still addicts though.

2. Another option is to just shoot them. I don't think that's a very good one.

3. Treat them somehow, maybe some other countries like Portugal can show us how that might look.

I think at least in this country you have an element that glorifies criminal activity. So if you remove that from the drugs, IE put them in say treatment programs away from the regular criminals you might be able to separate the two and maybe make drugs less appealing to younger people to get involved with.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Here's a suggestion for you. Since my opinion is so opposed to yours that you consider me a troll, click on the triangle and report whatever serious violation that I have committed. You owe it to everyone, since I'm such a conservative, you should do your part to keep my opinions away.

Reminds me of a quote from Abraham Lincoln...

“Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.”

__________________

90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff

No, I am saying that many people want to party down, but put the bill for their irresponsible behavior on someone else when it catches up with them.

Let's don't forget to wish Keith a happy birthday today.

Richards birthday

I'm not too sure his hearing is what it was back in '62.

__________________
Jim

In the hopes that this doesn't turn into a Larry thread . . .

Denmark's "Fix Rooms"

But a growing body of evidence suggests that DCRs can save lives and reduce the public nuisance of open drug use without increasing crime. The DCR strategy seems to be, once again, getting attention — even in the U.S., where places like Seattle, San Francisco and are starting to consider the idea more seriously.

I get part of what you are saying.

People in the USA do not take care of themselves and don't take responsibility for what happens to themselves; and that means they don't believe they are the source of their own problems. Without accepting that they cannot be Cured.

In that environment they create for themselves they are likely to be bad Patients (In the Article it said Drug Use should be treaded like a Disease) and obstruct successful (expensive) treatment.

I sat in Court Room where a Man was being tried for selling Weed. Trying to build up the Defendants Character His Attorney said He was gainfully employed with the School District (He was a Teacher but what is called a classified employee but this seemed like a bad defense to Me).

Hise Attorney was trying to get Him into what was called a Drug Diversion Program (no Jail time).

However, this wonderful Employed Guy had been picked up for selling Weed before so He did not qualify for the Drug Diversion programs.

So what does it take go get people to take care of themselves?

I am glad when I was Kid that the Adults that were in My Neighbor Hood did not want to be Alcoholics or Drug Users and blieved both were bad; if not immoral.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel